Transfer News and Speculation: 9 August

Friday 8 August 2008 23:00 BST

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Andrei Arshavin says he would take a pay cut to play abroad as Zenit St Petersburg make his departure increasingly difficult. "I still want to leave," he said, "but my club, which didn't want to let me go in the first place, is doing everything possible so that it doesn't happen."

Arshavin inspired Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals and Zenit to their Uefa Cup triumph in May but previously made no secret of his desire to move to Barcelona. Spurs began negotiations with Arshavin, 27, last month. "When Tottenham made their offer I was sceptical," he said.

"But after [the manager Juande] Ramos called and said they were selling Robbie Keane [to Liverpool] and that he wanted me, the situation changed. I also like how Tottenham play, so I agreed in principle to join and we agreed on terms and a contract quickly.

Only then did my asking price go up. Tottenham are capable of fighting for a place in the Champions League. The main thing is to try my strengths in the Premier League."

Harford signs whole team in a day

Luton Town manager Mick Harford yesterday welcomed 11 new faces to Kenilworth Road as the club prepare to begin life in League Two. The former Colchester midfielder Kevin Watson joins on a free transfer, while Josh Klein-Davies and Michael Spillane have signed on loan from Bristol Rovers and Norwich City respectively, with eight further players moving to the club. The Hatters, who host Port Vale this afternoon, start the season on –30 points after going into administration and admitting payment irregularities earlier this year.

What the fans are saying

"Landing Robinho would be a testament to the respect Scolari commands internationally – we'd immediately be better for it. Robinho is a mess to defend and he'd open up our attack." - RadioactiveD - vitalfootball.co.uk

"£6m for Young!! We could have had him for £2.5m last year. It seems slightly strange, not to mention inflated." - Paul McMahon, avfcblog.com

"Funny how things turn out, hey, with Boateng, Southgate and Ehiogu all joining Boro' from Villa a few years back "to win things"." - Evoflash – vitalfootball.co.uk